After a stunning exit in the Olympic decathlon on Saturday, reigning champion Damian Warner gathered his thoughts before addressing the media at a press conference on Sunday.
“This isn’t the press conference I was hoping to have,” the Canadian said, per Devin Heroux of CBC Olympics.
“Unfortunately my worst nightmare came true. This one is going to hurt for a long time.”
The London, Ont., native fell out of medal contention in the eighth of 10 events when he didn’t record a height in the pole vault, missing on all three of his attempts at 4.60 metres. Warner had passed on four previous heights.
At the time, Warner was in second place.
“Ultimately it was my decision to start at that height” Warner said, per Heroux. “There’s no room to play it safe.”
Warner was very emotional in an interview with Scott Russell of CBC Olympics.
The two-time Olympic medal winner then opted to withdraw from the event after the pole vault.
Warner, 34, said he plans to compete at the 2025 world track and field championships in Japan. He said he does not have a long-term plan.
“I wasn’t good enough yesterday,” said Warner. “There were a lot of emotions yesterday.”
